The Women's Heritage Museum/International Museum of Women Records, 1887-2005 (1970-1997), document the formation of this museum,
which was organized to promote women's history. The records consist of administrative documents, newspaper clippings, photographs,
and video tapes. The collection contains information on museum exhibits, including
California Woman Suffrage 1870-1911, which opened in 1986 and was shown in the California State Capitol and the National Women's Hall of Fame in Senca Falls,
New York. Materials include artifacts that were used in musuem exhibits, such as the petticoat of Sarah Bard Field, a California
suffragist and poet. This collection is arranged into seven series: Series I. Administrative Files, 1985-1996; Series II.
Exhibits and Programs, 1979-2004 (1990-2000); Series III. Artifacts and Exhibit Materials, 1887-2003 (1980-1990); Series IV.
Career Action Files, 1971-1988; Series V. Publications and Clippings, 1954-2005; Audiovisual and Visual Materials, 1987-2004;
Artwork, Posters, and Museum Plans, 1983-2004.

Background

The International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.), originally called the Women's Heritage Museum (W.H.M.), was founded in 1985
when Jeanne McDonnell, Anne Murray, and Jane Van Dusen signed the papers of incorporation. The mission of this social change
museum was to value the lives of women around the world. The museum documented women's history through exhibits and sponsored
a variety of programs focused on educating the public and improving the status of women.

Extent

52 boxes,
52.9 linear feet;
3 folio file drawers,
13 linear feet

Restrictions

Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Availability

Collection is open for research, with the exception of the following materials: financial documents in Boxes 1, 2, 3, and
4.